Press Release

Atlanta City Council President Candidate Alex Wan Receives Highest Grade from Committee for a Better Atlanta

Alex Wan, who is seeking the Atlanta City Council President seat after two successful terms on Council, garners highest rating of "excellent" from influential group; was one of the top two scorers of all candidates who participated Citywide. www.AlexWanForAtlanta.com

Atlanta, GA, September 26, 2017 --(PR.com)-- Atlanta City Councilmember Alex Wan, who is running for Atlanta City Council President, has received the highest rating of “Excellent” from the Committee for a Better Atlanta. Wan is one of two top scorers of all candidates (who participated) across all current City political races.

“I am honored to again receive this acknowledgment from the CBA, a group of respected members of Atlanta’s business community and civic leaders who recognize the need for thoughtful, business-minded leaders engaged in City government,” Wan says, “and I am ready to bring together all of Atlanta’s diverse stakeholders to get things done and keep Atlanta moving forward.”

Wan’s score of 96 out of 100 was the highest in the field in the Council President’s race. In his 2009 and 2013 Council races, Wan also was rated excellent and placed at the top of his field of opponents. All 2017 CBA scores and ratings can be see here www.CBATL.org.

“The rating of ‘Excellent’ and Alex’s impressive score is an acknowledgement of what I firmly believe,” says Phil Kent, former Turner Broadcasting System CEO. “Alex continues to be one of the brightest people that our City has to offer, with the real-world experience, business acumen, leadership style and temperament that City Council will need as it goes into a new year with at least seven new members and with a new Mayor in place.”

Kent continues, “CBA leaders understand the importance of addressing issues Alex champions – create economic opportunities, expand affordable housing, ensure neighborhoods are safe, address infrastructure gaps, and expand transportation options – that, among other things, attract businesses and new jobs – to our great City. Their rating indicates they know Alex has the strong record, the ability and the experience to lead City Council and accomplish these things.”

The Committee for a Better Atlanta’s decision is based upon written and oral responses from all candidates in the municipal races. The score is based on key areas, including public safety, financial competence, ethics/transparency, transportation, affordable housing and arts, among others. The ranking of candidates – on a four-tier scale – judges the qualifications of all Atlanta candidates.

Wan was first elected to the City Council District 6 post in 2009 and easily earned a second term in 2013. He is the first Asian American and first openly gay man to serve on Atlanta City Council. Raised in Atlanta and a Morningside homeowner for over 20 years, Wan was perhaps best known before his Council win for deep roots in the community and long-time civic leadership.

On Council he has become known for being able to disagree with Council colleagues or the Mayor respectfully, maintaining relationships needed to collaborate when needed, but also being resolute when necessary, always working to understand the many different sides to the issues with which Council deals regularly.

In his bid for Council President, Wan says he will continue to leverage his business acumen and his record during eight productive years at City Hall, including many roles in council leadership, such as President Pro Tempore (2015), Chair of the City Utilities Committee (2017), Chair of the Finance/Executive Committee (2014-2016), Chair of the Zoning Committee (2012), Vice Chair of the Community Development/Health Services Committee (2010-2011), Member of the City Budget Commission (2010, 2012-2016), and Member of the Commission on Waste and Inefficiency in Government (2014).

The former small business owner holds a Bachelor’s in Industrial Engineering from Georgia Tech, a Finance MBA from Wharton Business School, and has completed educational programs at Dartmouth and Harvard.

In addition to the “Excellent” rating from CBA, Wan has thus far received endorsements from Georgia Equality (www.GeorgiaEquality.org) and the Gay & Lesbian Victory Fund (www.VictoryFund.org). Both Victory Fund and Georgia Equality also endorsed Wan in 2009 and 2013, during his successful campaigns for City Council District 6.

The Atlanta City Council President is elected city wide, presiding at all Council meetings and voting in the event of a tie. The president of the Council also appoints chairs and members of the various committees. Council President also serves as vice mayor, acting for the mayor in certain instances. The Atlanta City Council President is elected for a four-year term, with the election to be held in November 2017, taking office in January 2018. The current City Council President is running for mayor.